Beloved actor John Schneider, best known for his role in The Dukes of Hazzard, recently voiced his strong opinions about Beyoncé’s exploration into country music. His outspoken comments in an interview with One American News Network have sparked a debate among fans and observers alike.
Schneider’s frustration stems from Beyoncé’s fans wanting her new song, “Texas Hold ‘Em,” to be played on a country music radio station in Oklahoma. In the interview, he and host Alison Steinberg discussed the evolution of the country genre over the years.
Schneider believes that artists like Beyoncé, who have already achieved immense success in their respective genres (she has won 32 Grammy Awards), should stick to what they know best and avoid crossing over into country music. He compared her venture to “a dog peeing on a tree” to mark her territory.
However, fans are eagerly anticipating Beyoncé’s upcoming album, “Renaissance: Act II,” set to release on March 29, 2024, with rumors suggesting it may be a full-fledged country album.
But Schneider’s concerns go beyond Beyoncé. He raises the issue of other pop stars, like Post Malone and Lana Del Rey, also expressing interest in delving into the country genre.
With approximately 76 million Americans enjoying country music weekly, it’s understandable why these big-name artists would want to tap into the vast fan base and broaden their appeal. Schneider’s perspective reflects a wider concern within the country music community about the influence of pop on the genre.
It may come as a surprise to some that Schneider is voicing these opinions, but he has a substantial background in country music. In the 80s, he made his mark in the industry with nine studio albums, a greatest hits collection, and eighteen chart-topping singles. Hits like “I’ve Been Around Enough to Know,” “Country Girls,” “What’s a Memory Like You,” and “You’re the Last Thing I Needed Tonight” solidified his success. Even today, Schneider continues to perform and recently participated in season ten of The Masked Singer as “Donut.”
Unsurprisingly, Beyoncé’s fans did not react well to Schneider’s harsh words. Some labeled his remarks as racist and hateful, particularly in regard to his comparison of Beyoncé to a urinating dog.
Fans took to social media platforms to express their dissatisfaction, highlighting the fact that country music was originally created by black artists and that crossovers are not uncommon. They also pointed out other notable artists like Paul McCartney and The Rolling Stones, who have explored the country genre.
John Schneider’s comments have ignited a passionate debate among fans and observers. What are your thoughts on this topic? We welcome you to share your opinions in the comment section below!